Devlin looking to lead from the front

When Jon Whitney first sat down after becoming permanent Walsall FC Manager in 2016, we were promised 'passion, desire and fight', in reality most of his first season resembled that of an ageing boxer taking to the ring for one last paycheque. And, like most journeymen boxers, we received a good hammering from the more motivated, quicker and tactically astute competitors.

However, in this absolutely crucial second season for Whitney - he knows that time for excuses have run out and he needs to start delivering results on the pitch. One way he's seemingly looking to achieve that is by reuruiting players who were respected at their previous clubs and come with positive reports from supporters and management alike.

New full-back Nicky Devlin is one such signing who joins the club as a captain at his previous club, and has been speaking to the Official Walsall FC website"Every team needs leaders all over the park. "I know the manager wanted to sign players with those leadership qualities, players who have that hunger and really want to win.

"The more leaders you have got it can only be a good think for the team and the club as a whole."

Devlin will of course be under the leadership of veteran captain Adam Chambers, and the Scotsman has had nothing but positives to say about the former West Brom man.

"Adam Chambers has been here for a few years now and I will be looking to follow his example.'

"He has been brilliant since I came in. He has gone out of his way to make me feel welcome.'

Hopefully, Devlin can adapt to life in the English league quickly and we might even have a future Saddlers captain in the ranks...